Final answer:
Geographic barriers cause population isolation, leading to the formation of adaptively distinct species from a single ancestor. Examples include Darwin's finches, spotted owls, and Hawaiian honeycreepers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Geographic barriers, such as rivers, mountains, or oceans, can cause populations to become isolated from each other. This isolation prevents the free-flow of alleles and leads to the divergence of populations over time. Different selective pressures in the isolated populations result in the formation of adaptively distinct species from a single ancestor. Examples of this can be seen in Darwin's finches, northern and Mexican spotted owls, and Hawaiian honeycreepers.